Distinct Grey Matter Alterations in Untreated Mild to Moderate Chronic Low Back Pain: A Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

This study demonstrates that individuals with mild, unmedicated chronic low back pain show increased grey matter density in frontal and temporal regions and a robust inverse association between pain severity and parietal grey matter. By identifying the right inferior parietal lobule as a neural marker linked to symptom intensity, these findings refine our understanding of pain-related brain plasticity, highlight structural correlates present even in less severe clinical populations, and suggest novel targets for early intervention strategies in chronic pain.